Exterior Prep Work

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am trying to prep my exterior stucco and trim. I just spent a good 10 hours on the garage face and have not even caulked yet...just scraping and sanding. I know prep is important and decided to start early so as not to be rushed. I would like to paint in March or April, but at this rate, it might be 2014....LOL. I've painted before, but never anything in what I would consider, bad shape....I don't think it's been painted in 15 years and it was a sloppy job.

I have a few questions, I am hoping someone can help me with...

My fascia is 2 x 10 rough cut lumber. The protective coating has obviously failed and the paint is chalking and coming off (not flaking or peeling). I have been trying to scrape then sand but it seems like this is not the greatest because of all the hills and valleys in the wood. The garage fascia is almost smooth now from sanding the heck out of it. There is still a lot of paint on it, but it appear to be adhering pretty well.

1) Would it be okay to use a good scrub brush and some liquid TSP and just scrub all the "dead chalky" paint off rather than try to sand it down?

2) In the areas where I didn't get down to the bare wood is it going to show through? I've tried to get it smooth. I am using 60 grit paper.

I plan on using Valspar Duramax for the trim and the stucco.

3) I have noticed some hairline cracks that would be next to impossible to fill with patch or even caulk. The paint (Duramax) is supposed to fill these...is that realistic?

Thanks for your help. I don't want to rush the project and do a slop job, but I think I am overkilling. Obviously I need to get rid of flaking paint, but those areas are few and far between. The chalky power is pretty consistent on the trim. Fortunately, the stucco is in really good shape and not chalky, so I think it just needs a good power washing.

Enjoy the game!

Mike

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Exterior Prep Work

You definitely want to remove any chalkiness before painting. You can use warm water, a little TSP, and a scrub brush, or, better yet, a gentle pressure wash will make that job go a lot quicker. Let it dry and see what you have. If it's really rough, you can do some sanding and after the sanding rinse off the dust and let dry. Then you are ready for primer if no scraping is necessary. Paint rarely fills even hairline cracks. I would use a putty knife to get all the loose stuff off around and in the cracks, expanding the crack ever so much so you can caulk. Of course, if it's a bigger crack then you will have to repair with mesh and stucco mix. Anyway, you are on the right track.

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Exterior Prep Work

I would wash it with soapy water and a brush....gotta get that loose chalk off..If you add tsp make sure it's rinsed really well....caulk the cracks even if you have to rub it in before painting.If the paint fills the cracks (which it doesn't do well) they will come back really fast.I think the Duramax will work well....no real reason to prime.Most use an elastomeric on stucco.

Exterior Prep Work

It's tough to get 100% of the chalkiness off. I'm assuming from what cdaniel said that Duramax is paint and primer in one, which I know nothing about. You might want to consider whether it bonds to chalky surfaces. There are primers that do, and the one I go to for weathered exterior wood is BM oil based penetrating primer, 024 I believe. Short of that you can buy Emulsa-Bond additive that helps finishes bond to chalky surfaces.

Exterior Prep Work

The Duramax is a paint+primer but that is a marketing gimmick. I have used it on chalky surfaces after cleaning and it bonded very well without priming.I guess it depends on how well you clean whether or not you need a primer but I am meticulous in cleaning before painting.I just drove down the street to look at a house I did with Duramax about 8 years ago. Still has a nice satin sheen and no adhesion issues that I could find.Overall it's a great product.

Exterior Prep Work

Exterior Prep Work

Masonary Conditioner is the key to painting stucco it goes on clear with a tank sprayer and will save you all of the frustration of the Stucco being splotchy from the paint not soaking in evenly, I am speaking from experience !!!

Exterior Prep Work

Quote:

Originally Posted by b679995

Masonary Conditioner is the key to painting stucco it goes on clear with a tank sprayer and will save you all of the frustration of the Stucco being splotchy from the paint not soaking in evenly, I am speaking from experience !!!

Exterior Prep Work

2 in 1. SUCH A SCAM

Dont use it. Use an acrylic paint like Acri-Shield from PPG or something similar. Clean first with TSP and not the TSP-PH. I mix it strong but it will irritate your eyes and dry out your hands. Like power washing doesn't already do that!...